Today, Saturday, March 3, was a banner day for youth baseball players and their families during Opening Day festivities at the City of Tallahassee’s Capital Park, located off Omega Avenue. Before any games were played, the 2018 baseball season started with a grand slam announcement as the players, coaches and family members were joined by a special guest.

Two-time World Series champion and ESPN analyst David Ross announced to the cheering crowd that the baseball field will be refurbished through a partnership with The Scotts Company LLC (Scotts) and Major League Baseball (MLB). Through an inaugural grant initiative that is part of the Scotts®Field Refurbishment Program, Scotts and MLB are providing funds to five communities across the nation to modernize local fields to encourage kids to play ball. While Tallahassee was not a grantee, Scotts and MLB have chosen it as a special honoree in recognition of Ross, who was on the special blue-ribbon committee that selected the organizations to receive grant funding. Ross, a Tallahassee resident, selected Capital Park for improvements due in part to his fond memories playing at the field in his youth. The field is currently used by 13-14 year olds.

“Having a clean, safe place to play ball is one of the most important parts of getting kids active and outside,” Ross said. “The youth in this community are in for a real treat, and I’m just so happy that they’ll have a greater opportunity to practice, play games, run around and just have a catch when they want. It’s wonderful to see Scotts and MLB supporting a great initiative like this for the next generation.”

The improvements, which include regrading the field and installing new turf, will be made this summer following the 2018 baseball season.

"We are truly grateful to David Ross for selecting Tallahassee’s Capital Park for field improvements,” Interim City Manager Reese Goad said. “His generosity, along with The Scotts Company and Major League Baseball, will not only enhance the baseball field but, will also strengthen the sense of community pride among the young players, coaches, volunteers and area residents.”

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